Is Thermally Oxidized Soybean Oil with Mono- and Diglycerides (E479b) Vegan?

Also known as: Thermally oxidised soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, Oxidised soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, TOSOM

Related additives: Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471)

Vegan

Last checked 15 Oct 2026 How we decide

E479b is vegan in the process EFSA documents. The industry process in EFSA's opinion uses mono- and diglycerides of vegetable origin, which make up 90 percent of it, and the oxidized part is soybean oil. The EU specification leaves the glyceride source open, so a supplier confirmation settles a specific batch.

What are Thermally Oxidized Soybean Oil with Mono- and Diglycerides?

E479b is a waxy emulsifier made by heating soybean oil in air and reacting it with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. The EU authorizes it only in fat emulsions for frying.

Ingredient Data

Vegan Status

Vegan

E-Number

E479b

Also Known As

Thermally oxidised soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids; Oxidised soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids; TOSOM

Source

Refined soybean oil is oxidized with air at 190 to 200 degrees Celsius, then reacted under vacuum at 130 degrees Celsius with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. The EU specification sets the mix at 10 percent oxidized oil and 90 percent mono- and diglycerides of food fatty acids. The industry process described in EFSA's opinion uses mono- and diglycerides of vegetable origin, and the specification does not require it.

Commonly Found In

EU rules permit it only in fat emulsions for frying, up to 5,000 mg/kg, and EFSA's 2018 review found few labeled products.

Additional Notes

The soybean oil part is plant-derived. For a specific product, the supplier can confirm that the mono- and diglycerides are of vegetable origin.

Frequently asked questions

Is E479b the same as E471?

No. E471 is plain mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. E479b is 90 percent mono- and diglycerides reacted with 10 percent heat-oxidized soybean oil, and the process EFSA describes uses glycerides of vegetable origin.

Where is E479b allowed in the EU?

Only in fat and oil emulsions for frying, at up to 5,000 mg/kg. EFSA's 2018 review counted few products labeled with it over the preceding five years.